Otitis externa: a roundtable discussion

ABSTRACT

Otitis externa is a common problem in both primary care and referral practice. A wide range of factors contribute to the successful management of disease. A logical approach and investigation are important and should always include an appreciation of underlying primary causes, predisposing and perpetuating factors, and secondary infection. Cytology is essential to help choose appropriate therapy and represents an opportunity to use the expertise of the nurses within the veterinary team. COVID-19 has forced many veterinary professionals to use remote consultation techniques to provide care for patients and it may be that some of the lessons we have learned during lockdown can be applied to our working practices to improve the level of veterinary care in the future. The selection of appropriate topical anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory drugs is, of course, important but without good levels of owner compliance even the best therapy is ineffective. This article presents the outcome of a workshop in which a group of experts discussed many of these topics.